Lithuanian jailed in Chicago appeals extradition ruling

CHICAGO – A former lawmaker and judge from Lithuania jailed in Chicago wants a court to declare the way the Trump administration OK’d her extradition unconstitutional.

Lawyers for 47-year-old Neringa Venckiene (vehn-KEE’-ehn-nayz) filed an appeal late Friday with the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Court of Appeals asking it to halt her extradition .

She faces charges in Lithuania linked to her claims that there is an influential pedophile network in Lithuania. She fears she’ll be killed if forced to return.

The State Department offered no reasons why it approved her extradition in April. The appeal says that makes it impossible to challenge the decision, violating Venckiene’s due-process rights.

It concedes courts have consistently found the State Department has near-total discretion on extradition. But it says Venckiene’s case shows it’s time to reconsider those findings.